Smart Specialisation Working Group
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of the Smart Specialisation Working Group.
Smart Specialisation
The Smart Specialisation Working Group aims to monitor and contribute to key policy developments related to S3 by enhancing dialogue with relevant EU institutions and stakeholders. The goal is to strengthen the regional perspective in the wider smart specialisation agenda and facilitate the interregional cooperation. The WG actively engages in the debate around shaping the cohesion policy post-2027 and the future of S3. It also follows different interregional collaboration instruments for innovation, their state of play and upcoming opportunities.
ERRIN Contact
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 and PRI – the way ahead
The year 2024 marks the opening of a new chapter for the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) as a JRC-CoR initiative building on S3 to support innovation for place-based transformations. In
Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges
As the activities of the EU Year of Skills came to an end in April 2024, the Science and Education for Society Working Group is organising a Working Group meeting to reflect on the lessons learnt
Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027
The topic of widening gathers high attention in the discussions around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, raising questions with the potential to influence not only the Widening sub-
WG Related Events
ERRIN Spring AGM 2024
ERRIN’s 2024 Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 20 June from 15:00 to 17:15 CEST, followed by networking drinks until 19:00. This year, the event will be held in person at Scotland House (Scotland Europa, Rdpt Robert Schuman 6, 1040 Bruxelles).
Call for EoI in S3 Targeted Support - Info session for ERRIN members
As a new round of applications for S3 Targeted Support Assignments offered by the S3 CoP is currently open, ERRIN members are invited for an informal short info session to learn more about the initiative and the call for expressions of interest. The event will take place online on 17 June from 15:00-15:45 CEST.
Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges
The forthcoming SEFS Working Group meeting will be dedicated to strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems. The members will learn about CHARTER's results, the first Erasmus+ funded sectoral blueprint that involved six regions to explore the place-based perspective on skills governance from a regional innovation ecosystem’s perspective. The event will take place online on 14 June at 10:00.
I3 Instrument - Online Info Session
On 13 June 2024 from 9:30-12:00, EISMEA and DG REGIO are organising an informative webinar to learn more about the following calls under I3 Instrument (ERDF): Strand 1 - Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects, and Strand 2a - Financial and advisory support to the development of value chains in less developed regions. Both calls opened on 6 June and will close on 5 December 2024.
2nd C4T Conference: Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice
The C4T Community of Practice is a community-based platform that aims to support EU Member States and regions to make a better use of EU funds for sustainability transitions. With this in mind, DG REGIO and the C4T Secretariat will be hosting the second edition of the C4T Conference "Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice" on 4 June 2024, in Brussels and online.
UnILiON Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls
UnILiON invites you to its Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls, which will take place online on Monday, 03 June, 14:30 to 17:30 CET.
WG Documents
ERRIN Year in review 2022
The ERRIN Year in review 2022 is out! Read the report to see the numerous activities ERRIN and its members have been involved in throughout the year.
WG Related Content
EU Missions: The European Commission publishes its first mid-term review
On 19 July, the European Commission (EC) published a Communication on the assessment of the EU Missions after two years of implementation. The EC details the Missions' successes but also recognises the need to address challenges related to governance, budget, citizens and private sector engagement. The EC also proposes to add a sixth Mission on the New European Bauhaus.
Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2023 published
On 6 July, the Commission released the newest bi-annual Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS). The RIS allows for a closer examination of the innovation performance within European regions and the new edition is to be taken as a reference for consortium eligibility in the current Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe. The 2023 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) was also published.
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023 – taking stock of the EU Missions
ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 took place on 22 June this year. As always, it brought together the large and dynamic community of member regions and cities. Following the format part with the update from the network, the main focus was the EU Missions, approached in two policy debates, on the support and implementation frameworks in Adaptation, Ocean and Waters and Soil Missions, and the governance innovation and the perspective on Cities and the Cancer Missions.
Plenary Meeting of the S3 European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership and call for input
On 20 June 2023, ERRIN participated in the Plenary Meeting of the S3 European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership, hosted in the House of the Dutch Provinces in Brussels. In this context, ERRIN with its Energy & Climate Working Group is in the process of producing an input paper building on the work of the S3 Partnership on Hydrogen Valleys and collecting ERRIN’s members’ needs, challenges and solutions.
Local Digital Twins toolbox project launches survey
The European Commission has recently launched a project to “Co-design the Local Digital Twins (LDT) toolbox technical specifications for advancing the transformation of Smart Communities”. To support the design process, they have launched a survey to gather insights. The deadline for the survey is 30 June at 23:59 CEST.
Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys - Heat networks
Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys – Decarbonising Heat & Cooling, with proposed focus on next generation heating & cooling networks
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Interest mapping: Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe
In anticipation of the launch of the “Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys” HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-03-01 call for proposals on 17 May 2023, ERRIN opened a mapping of members’ interest in developing project proposals under this call, to facilitate consortium building. ERRIN members are encouraged to share their interest by filling in a short survey by 20 April.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Launch of the S3 Community of Practice & two calls to join working groups and pool of experts
On 30 March, the new Smart Specialisation Strategies Community of Practice (S3 CoP) was launched as the central knowledge and information hub for S3, with ERRIN as part of the S3 CoP Secretariat. Two calls for Expression of Interest to join the S3 CoP working groups and S3 CoP pool of experts were opened on this occasion – ERRIN members are encouraged to apply.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for Expression of Interest for Regional Innovation Valleys launched
In line with the New European Innovation Agenda, the European Commission has launched a call for Expression of Interest for European regions to become Regional Innovation Valleys. Furthermore, two calls for proposals under EIE part of Horizon Europe and I3 Instrument of ERDF will open on 17 May 2023. In this context, ERRIN is planning dedicated activities.
- By Francesca Pozzebon
Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2023: Apply by 1 June
Applications for the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2023 are now open! The theme of the 2023 edition is “Smart Tourism – Smart Destinations: Cultural Heritage & Creativity, Digitalisation, Sustainability”. The Awards will be given to cultural tourist destinations that have produced significant results, such as enhancing the visitor experience, respecting traditions and involving local communities. The deadline for applications is 1 June 2023.
- By Rodolphe Doité
S3 Partnership publishes position paper for a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership has published a position paper "Through the Valley to the top: Why the EU needs a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys".
- By Francesca Pozzebon
SEFS WG call for regional examples in evidence-based policy making
The SEFS Working Group is looking for regional best practices in the field of Evidence based and evidence informed policy making. The meeting will take place on 20 April (10:00-12.00 CEST) and will be organised as an online event.